Two Special Envoy Knights came to Bonfire with greatswords at their hips and took up positions beside Annan.
The Ogre stood and peered into the darkness beyond Annan's sight for a long while.
"The Gnoll Scouts have withdrawn," the Ogre said. "That's not a good sign."
Only Gnolls without a leader would charge in a mob after spotting an enemy. These Scouts hadn't, which meant they were observing and obeying their leader's orders.
Or perhaps the combination of two Heavy Knights, an Ogre, an Orc, and a human had left them baffled.
"Can't we beat them?"
With two Elite Knights and an Ogre, Annan and the Orc could probably take on ten Fasters.
Surely enemy strength hadn't inflated between Breeze City and Star-Moon Bay the way prices had inflated between Pinglin Town and Breeze City?
"We can, but there's no need." The Ogre stuffed a whole roasted rabbit into her mouth and chewed. "We won't be building a Territory here. Even if we drive them off, more Gnolls will come."
"Then we leave."
Annan had intended to leave the Ogre here to serve as a medium for the Portal, but now he had to give up on that plan.
Those Gnolls probably couldn't match the Ogre, but Annan, who had only two subordinates, didn't want to take the risk.
"A wise choice."
The Ogre preferred using her head—and eating heads—to fighting. "The smell of blood draws vicious predators. Wise prey doesn't linger in unfamiliar territory."
Star-Moon Bay was still wilderness. Wasting a chance to summon an Epic Mage here wasn't worth it.
They put out the bonfire, climbed into the Carriage, and left before the Gnoll Scouts could return with their pack.
Before they left, though, Annan looked back toward the receding sound of the tide, as anyone reluctant to